Writing Guides from WritersBookStall

The bestselling writer’s breezy and entertaining book on tricky words. Our reviewer commented that Bryson notes ‘not unreasonably, that he doesn’t actually have the right to tell you or me how we should use the language, but that we may find this simple guide helpful when it comes to dealing with the many problems thrown up by standard written English'.

This book is intended for the many would-be authors who want to improve their chances of publication. The first half of the book provides detailed chapters on punctuation, spelling, grammar and the choice of words, so that you can learn how to present your work in a professional manner.

The second half of the book focuses on getting into print, dealing with the preparation of a typescript, market research, submissions, contracts, libel, proof-reading and payment.

The beloved and much-celebrated American classic on style, which would help any writer. In 21 elegant chapters it shows you how to improve your writing style, covering everything from using the active voice to avoiding fancy words.

A well-organized and concise American reference, including the basics of editing, appropriate use of proof-reader's marks, proofreading exercises, examples of how to make corrections, the most common and most critical errors to catch, and a chart of the most common proofreading symbols. Includes recommendations and reminders about the objectives and goals of proofreading. Useful both for the beginner and for those who are experienced in proofreading, pointing out the pitfalls of proofreading one's own work.

Perfect for anyone who is thinking of working as a freelance in the field, this encouraging and helpful sourcebook is aimed at those without experience in either the freelance field or the publishing industry. Its comprehensive coverage includes an overview of the publishing process and the freelancer's role within it; basic proofreading and copy-editing techniques; where and how to find work and training; and a series of instructional exercises which are both evaluative and educational.

The complete guide to self-editing, illustrating the most common problems with 700 before-and-after examples and a mass of solid information. Genuinely useful for anyone who wants to improve their writing through editing their own work.

Our reviewer called this entertaining surprise bestseller 'Obsessive, entertaining, passionate, this book is a delight and a must-read for anyone interested in the future – and the past - of the language.'

Reviewing it in the Observer, Nigel Williams said it was: 'more than a witty, elegant and passionate book that should be on every writer's shelf. Well. Done. Lynne!!!!'

A truly useful and enjoyable book. ‘You can look forward to reading some of the most exacting analysis of how to use words and sentences effectively, from people who spend their working lives trying to stamp out journalese.’ From our Review

Regarded by many, in British publishing at least, as the Bible on copy editing, this big book does a thorough job, although it may prove too much of a good thing if what you want is an introductory starting-point, rather than an authoritative last word.

Punctuation can make all the difference between a good piece of writing and a superb piece of writing. In "The Art of Punctuation", Noah Lukeman explores and demystifies each punctuation mark in turn. From the punchiness of the full stop to the unacknowledged flexibility of the question mark, the manifold powers of punctuation are revealed in this practical yet engaging guide.

Our reviewer said: 'Lukeman is writing as much about syntax as he is about punctuation, and has failed to notice that the punctuation acts to guide a reader’s understanding of how a sentence has been put together.'

Shows you how to write with confidence by learning to plan before you write and overcoming writer’s block. Uses brief passages by modern authors to show you how you can write vividly and with a human touch.

Described by the New York Times as ‘the best-written (guide) this year’, this gives full coverage of writing, including how write essays and sentences, and punctuation, in one handy large-format paperback.

This straightforward and helpful book shows you how to produce simple, clear, commanding but not pompous business writing – and to make people read what you write.

It shows you how to grab and sustain your reader's attention, produce a user-friendly layout and draw attention to key passages. It's a fundamental set of techniques that you'll be able to apply to all kinds of business writing - letters, e-mails, reports, memos, websites, business plans, forms, sign boards and even graphs.

Perfect for anyone who is thinking of working as a freelance in the field, this encouraging and helpful sourcebook is aimed at those without experience in either the freelance field or the publishing industry. Its comprehensive coverage includes an overview of the publishing process and the freelancer's role within it; basic proofreading and copy-editing techniques; where and how to find work and training; and a series of instructional exercises which are both evaluative and educational.

"The Oxford Guide to Style is probably not as instantly entertaining as its companion, The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors, but it’s one of those quietly efficient books that sits on the shelf and gets on with paying its way in an unglamorous but deeply necessary kind of way, the kind of book you don’t think about until you really need it, but at that moment you’ll be so grateful it’s there." Read the review.

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The prize was originally conceived in 1978 by Trevor Bounford, co-founder with Bruce Robertson of publishing solutions firm The Diagram Group and has been administered every year by the Bookseller and Horace Bent, the magazine's diarist.

The excellent article by Philip Jones, editor of the Bookseller, in this week's Futurebook, is an interesting examination of imprints and their importance within the publishing business. But it does seem that most authors will be indifferent to the imprint and in a way they're right. Read more

Whither the imprint? Publishing imprints are part and parcel of modern publishing businesses, yet many question their use and effectiveness, particularly at a time when publishers are looking to build brands that consumers can recognise. Read more

Many years ago, when I had just started writing books about philosophy, I got talking to two of my newly acquired peers. I asked one what he was currently working on, which as conversational gambits go is about as original as asking a novelist where she gets her ideas from. Having heard his answer, I perhaps tactlessly noted that quite a lot of books had recently appeared on this subject. Read more

With a record shattering box office take of more than $90 million in its first four days of release, 50 Shades of Grey is once again headline news. But at Addicting Info, Nathaniel Downes makes the case that the book the film is based on "is a flagrant violation of copyright laws."

‘Just because you write a poem, it doesn't mean you have to publish it. If I'm just writing because I happen to have had an idea, I'm completely free to write it, fiddle around with it, take as long as I like, and then I can decide quite a long time afterwards what I want to do with it. There's a freedom in that.' Read more

'Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.'

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The prize was originally conceived in 1978 by Trevor Bounford, co-founder with Bruce Robertson of publishing solutions firm The Diagram Group and has been administered every year by the Bookseller and Horace Bent, the magazine's diarist.

The excellent article by Philip Jones, editor of the Bookseller, in this week's Futurebook, is an interesting examination of imprints and their importance within the publishing business. But it does seem that most authors will be indifferent to the imprint and in a way they're right. Read more

Whither the imprint? Publishing imprints are part and parcel of modern publishing businesses, yet many question their use and effectiveness, particularly at a time when publishers are looking to build brands that consumers can recognise. Read more

Many years ago, when I had just started writing books about philosophy, I got talking to two of my newly acquired peers. I asked one what he was currently working on, which as conversational gambits go is about as original as asking a novelist where she gets her ideas from. Having heard his answer, I perhaps tactlessly noted that quite a lot of books had recently appeared on this subject. Read more

With a record shattering box office take of more than $90 million in its first four days of release, 50 Shades of Grey is once again headline news. But at Addicting Info, Nathaniel Downes makes the case that the book the film is based on "is a flagrant violation of copyright laws."

‘Just because you write a poem, it doesn't mean you have to publish it. If I'm just writing because I happen to have had an idea, I'm completely free to write it, fiddle around with it, take as long as I like, and then I can decide quite a long time afterwards what I want to do with it. There's a freedom in that.' Read more

'Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.'